2018 Honda Odyssey Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Odyssey years
The 2018 Honda Odyssey ranks 3rd worst of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 87, 990 complaints, and 16 recalls. Electrical System issues lead at 26% of complaints, followed closely by Engine (25%) and Collision Avoidance & Cameras (22%) problems.
- Complaints
- 990
- Recalls
- 16
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 30 / 3
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 28 hwy
Top 2018 Honda Odyssey problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System259 (26%)
- Engine245 (25%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras215 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain165 (17%)
- Other148 (15%)
- Lane Departure138 (14%)
- Structure & Body115 (12%)
- Fuel System106 (11%)
- Brakes47 (5%)
- Airbags25 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission unexpectedly shifting from drive to park on its own while reversing at low speed.
- Some describe the vehicle rolling on its own after they believed it was in park, in one case causing property damage.
- Drivers report the 9-speed transmission rattling, hesitating, shuddering, and jerking during normal driving.
- Owners describe airbags deploying unexpectedly or excessively during minor incidents, including rear-end collisions.
- Some report the infotainment system losing power along with the rearview camera failing right before a low-speed collision.
- One owner reported smoke and fire coming from under the hood shortly after parking, with no prior warning.
2018 Honda Odyssey recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V423000Jul 1, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras325,588 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles. Water may enter into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image to fail to display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is HOX. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 20V438. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 9, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V227000Apr 9, 2026Airbags440,830 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles. A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) software or replace the ECU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UNW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026. The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.
2018 Honda Odyssey fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
- Compared to other Odyssey model years, 2018 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 87 and a verdict of Avoid based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda Odyssey?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 26% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 25% and Collision Avoidance & Camera problems at 22%.
- Does the 2018 Honda Odyssey have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 16 recalls for the 2018 Odyssey, covering areas including airbags, the fuel system, the engine, seat belts, and the collision avoidance camera system. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2018 Odyssey problems typically show up?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 23,700 miles overall, though this varies by system: Electrical System failures show a median of 13,000 miles while Engine failures show a median of 65,000 miles.
- How does the 2018 Odyssey compare to other years?
- The 2018 Odyssey's Complaint Index of 87 is worse than most other years; only 2025 (100) and 2019 (93) score higher, while years like 2017, 2021, and 2015 score under 15 and are rated Best.